Request a Trial for Your Maryland Traffic Citation
Requesting a trial means you contest the citation entirely. The State must prove you committed the violation. If you win, the citation is dismissed and no points are added to your driving record.
What is a trial request?
When you request a trial, you're telling the court "I plead not guilty. Prove I did this." The case goes before a Maryland District Court judge. The officer who issued the citation must appear and testify. You can present evidence, call witnesses, and cross-examine the officer.
Trials are more formal than waiver hearings. They take longer, carry more risk, and benefit from preparation.
How to request a trial
You can request a trial two ways:
- Mark the back of your citation — Most Maryland traffic citations have a "Request Trial" checkbox on the back. Mark it, sign, and mail the citation to the address listed.
- Use form DR-049O — If you lost your citation, use the official DR-049O. Check "Request Trial" on the form, sign, and mail to the District Court Traffic Processing Center.
We can mail your form for $7
Upload your completed DR-049O and we'll mail it via first-class postage to the Maryland District Court Traffic Processing Center within 1 business day.
Mail my form →Deadline to request
You typically have 30 days from the date of your citation to request a trial. Don't wait until the last day. Use our deadline calculator to estimate your deadline.